1 Arkansas Code Title 5 – Chapter 73 Weapons (Generally) 5-73-101. Definitions. As used in this chapter: o (1) "Blasting agent" means any material or mixture consisting of fuel and oxidizer intended for blasting if the finished product as mixed for use or shipment cannot be detonated by means of a No. 8 test blasting cap when unconfined; o (2) "Collegiate athletic event" means a sporting or athletic contest, event, or practice of an individual or team of individuals in which one (1) or more individuals or a team of individuals sponsored by, funded by, represented by, or associated with a public or private university, college, or community college competes against themselves or another individual or team of individuals; o (3) "Contraband" means any explosive material that was used with the knowledge and consent of the owner to facilitate a violation of this subchapter, as well as any explosive material possessed under circumstances prohibited by law; o (4) "Destructive device" means: . (A) Any of the following: . (i) Any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas; . (ii) Bomb; . (iii) Grenade; . (iv) Rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces (4 oz.); . (v) Missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce (.25 oz.); . (vi) Mine; or . (vii) Similar device; and . (B) Any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into a destructive device as defined in subdivision (4)(A) of this section and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled for use as a weapon; o (5) . (A) "Detonator" means any device containing any initiating or primary explosive that is used for initiating detonation. (B) A detonator may not contain more than ten grams (10g) of total explosives by weight, excluding ignition or delay charges, and may include, without limitation, electric blasting caps of instantaneous and delay types, blasting caps for use with safety fuses, detonating cord delay connectors, and noninstantaneous and delay blasting caps that use detonating cord, shock tube, or any other replacement for electric leg wires; Arkansas Weapons Laws 2 o (6) "Distribute" means to sell, issue, give, transfer, or otherwise dispose of explosive material; o (7) "Explosive material" means an explosive, blasting agent, or detonator; o (8) . (A) "Explosive" means any chemical compound mixture or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion. (B) "Explosive" includes, without limitation: . (i) Dynamite and any other high explosive; . (ii) Black powder; . (iii) Pellet powder; . (iv) An initiating explosive; . (v) A detonator; . (vi) A safety fuse; . (vii) A squib; . (viii) A detonating cord; . (ix) An igniter cord; . (x) An igniter; . (xi) Any material determined to be within the scope of 18 U.S.C. § 841 et seq.; and . (xii) Any material classified as an explosive other than consumer fireworks, 1.4 (Class C, Common), by the hazardous materials regulations of the United States Department of Transportation; o (9) "Instrument of crime" means anything manifestly designed, made, adapted, or commonly used for a criminal purpose; o (10) "Minor" means any person under eighteen (18) years of age; and o (11) "Violent felony conviction" means a conviction for any felony offense against the person which is codified in § 5-10-101 et seq., § 5-11-101 et seq., § 5- 12-101 et seq., § 5-13-201 et seq., § 5-13-301 et seq., § 5-14-101 et seq., and § 5- 14-201 et seq., or any other offense containing as an element of the offense one (1) of the following: . (A) The use of physical force; . (B) The use or threatened use of serious physical force; . (C) The infliction of physical harm; or . (D) The creation of a substantial risk of serious physical harm. 5-73-102. Possessing instrument of crime. (a) A person commits the offense of possessing an instrument of crime if he or she possesses any instrument of crime with a purpose to employ it criminally. (b) Possessing an instrument of crime is a Class A misdemeanor. Arkansas Weapons Laws 3 5-73-103. Possession of firearms by certain persons. (a) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section or unless authorized by and subject to such conditions as prescribed by the Governor, or his or her designee, or the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, or other bureau or office designated by the United States Department of Justice, no person shall possess or own any firearm who has been: o (1) Convicted of a felony; o (2) Adjudicated mentally ill; or o (3) Committed involuntarily to any mental institution. (b) o (1) Except as provided in subdivisions (b)(2) and (3) of this section, a determination by a jury or a court that a person committed a felony constitutes a conviction for purposes of subsection (a) of this section even though the court suspended imposition of sentence or placed the defendant on probation. o (2) Subdivision (b)(1) of this section does not apply to a person whose case was dismissed and expunged under § 16-93-301 et seq. or § 16-98-303(g). o (3) The determination by the jury or court that the person committed a felony does not constitute a conviction for purposes of subsection (a) of this section if the person is subsequently granted a pardon explicitly restoring the ability to possess a firearm. (c) (1) A person who violates this section commits a Class B felony if: o (A) The person has a prior violent felony conviction; o (B) The person's current possession of a firearm involves the commission of another crime; or o (C) The person has been previously convicted under this section or a similar provision from another jurisdiction. (2) A person who violates this section commits a Class D felony if he or she has been previously convicted of a felony and his or her present conduct or the prior felony conviction does not fall within subdivision (c)(1) of this section. (3) Otherwise, the person commits a Class A misdemeanor. (d) The Governor may restore without granting a pardon the right of a convicted felon or an adjudicated delinquent to own and possess a firearm upon the recommendation of the chief law enforcement officer in the jurisdiction in which the person resides, so long as the underlying felony or delinquency adjudication: o (1) Did not involve the use of a weapon; and o (2) Occurred more than eight (8) years ago. 5-73-104. Criminal use of prohibited weapons. Arkansas Weapons Laws 4 (a) A person commits the offense of criminal use of prohibited weapons if, except as authorized by law, he or she uses, possesses, makes, repairs, sells, or otherwise deals in any: o (1) Bomb; o (2) Machine gun; o (3) Sawed-off shotgun or rifle; o (4) Firearm specially made or specially adapted for silent discharge; o (5) Metal knuckles; or o (6) Other implement for the infliction of serious physical injury or death. (b) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that: o (1) The defendant was a law enforcement officer, prosecuting attorney, deputy prosecuting attorney, prison guard, or member of the armed forces acting in the course and scope of his or her duty at the time he or she used or possessed the prohibited weapon; or o (2) The defendant used, possessed, made, repaired, sold, or otherwise dealt in any article enumerated in subsection (a) of this section under circumstances negating any likelihood that the weapon could be used as a weapon. (c) o (1) Criminal use of prohibited weapons is a Class B felony if the weapon is a bomb, machine gun, or firearm specially made or specially adapted for silent discharge. o (2) Criminal use of prohibited weapons is a Class A misdemeanor if the offense is possession of metal knuckles. o (3) Otherwise, criminal use of prohibited weapons is a Class D felony. 5-73-105. Legitimate manufacture, repair, and transportation of prohibited weapons. Section 5-73-104 shall not be construed to prohibit the manufacture, repair, transportation, or sale of the weapons enumerated in § 5-73-104 to or for an authorized representative of: o (1) The armed forces; or o (2) Any law enforcement agency. 5-73-106. Defacing a firearm. (a) A person commits the offense of defacing a firearm if he or she knowingly removes, defaces, mars, covers, alters, or destroys the manufacturer's serial number or identification mark of a firearm. Arkansas Weapons Laws 5 (b) Defacing a firearm is a Class D felony. 5-73-107. Possession of a defaced firearm. (a) A person commits the offense of possession of a defaced firearm if he or she knowingly possesses a firearm with a manufacturer's serial number or other identification mark required by law that has been removed, defaced, marred, altered, or destroyed. (b) It is a defense to a prosecution under this section that: o (1) The person reported the possession to the police or other governmental agency prior to arrest or the issuance of an arrest warrant or summons; or o (2) The firearm was manufactured prior to January 1, 1968. (c) o (1) Possession of a defaced firearm is a Class D felony. o (2) However, possession of a defaced firearm is a Class A misdemeanor if the manufacturer's serial number or other identification mark required by law is merely covered or obstructed, but still retrievable. 5-73-108. Criminal acts involving explosives. (a) (1) A person commits the offense of criminal possession of explosive material or a destructive device if the person: o (A) Sells, possesses, manufactures, transfers, or transports explosive material or a destructive device; and o (B) Either: .